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Choice architecture promotes sustainable choices in online food-delivery apps

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  • Lohmann, Paul M
  • Gsottbauer, Elisabeth
  • Farrington, James
  • Human, Steve
  • Reisch, Lucia A

Abstract

Greenhouse gas emissions from the food system constitute about one-third of the global total, hence mitigation in this sphere of human activity is a vital goal for research and policy. This study empirically tests the effectiveness of different interventions to reduce the carbon footprint of food choices made on food-delivery apps, using an incentive-compatible online randomized controlled trial with 4,008 participants. The experiment utilized an interactive web platform that mimics popular online food-delivery platforms (such as Just Eat) and included three treatment conditions: a sign-posted meat tax, a carbon-footprint label, and a choice-architecture intervention that changed the order of the menu so that the lowest carbon-impact restaurants and dishes were presented first. Results show that only the choice-architecture nudge significantly reduced the average meal carbon footprint—by 0.3 kg/CO2e per order (12%), driven by a 5.6 percentage point (13%) reduction in high-carbon meal choices. Moreover, we find evidence of significant health and well-being co-benefits. Menu repositioning resulted in the average meal order having greater nutritional value and fewer calories, whilst significantly increasing self-reported satisfaction with the meal choice. Simple back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest that menu repositioning would be a highly cost-effective policy instrument if implemented at scale, with the return on investment expected to be in the range of £1.28 to £3.85 per metric ton of avoided CO2 emissions, depending on implementation costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Lohmann, Paul M & Gsottbauer, Elisabeth & Farrington, James & Human, Steve & Reisch, Lucia A, 2024. "Choice architecture promotes sustainable choices in online food-delivery apps," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 125835, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:125835
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul M. Lohmann & Elisabeth Gsottbauer & Christina Gravert & Lucia A. Reisch, 2024. "Nudging, fast and slow: Experimental evidence from food choices under time pressure," CEBI working paper series 24-19, University of Copenhagen. Department of Economics. The Center for Economic Behavior and Inequality (CEBI).

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    JEL classification:

    • L81 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce

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